We think Octopus Deploy is the best release management tool out there, so we've invested in Octopus and are working with them as partners. We recommend it as a replacement for Deployment Manager, and we'll do everything we can to help you change over.

What to do if you're using Deployment Manager

Deployment Manager still works, so you can keep using it for as long as you need. We're just not doing further development on it.

If you've bought a copy of Deployment Manager, you should have an email from us offering you:

A free copy of Octopus Deploy as a replacement

Help to migrate between the two tools

A free copy of Redgate SQL CI, so you can deploy databases with Octopus Deploy

If you haven't received an email, don't worry – email our support team (support@red-gate.com) and they'll get back to you with details of how we can help and what to do next.

Once you've got an Octopus Deploy license, moving shouldn't be too tricky, because both tools have similar underlying technologies and workflows. For example, both tools use NuGet packages and both work well with Redgate products such as SQL Source Control.

If you have a support contract, you're also still covered by it until October 1st 2015. After that, we'll move any remaining time to your license of Octopus Deploy.

Finally, if you'd rather not migrate, you don't have to. You also don't have to do it right now. We can help you plan your migration and we've put together migration documentation to make it simple.

New beta tools for database deployment

Although we've stopped work on Deployment Manager, we've got two new tools in beta to help you with database deployment:

DLM Dashboard: checks for database drift – undocumented changes in database state, caused by hotfixes and other ad hoc changes, which can cause problems at deployment. Join the beta.

SQL Release: a PowerShell tool that plugs into your release management tool and allows it to deploy databases.

I have more than 12 months support and upgrades left on my Deployment Manager contract. What happens to this?

If you choose to carry on using Deployment Manager, Redgate will provide technical assistance for 12 months; there will be no further updates to Deployment Manager except for fixes to critical bugs. Technical assistance will not be available for Deployment Manager after October 1st 2015. After this time, if you haven’t moved to Octopus Deploy, we can arrange a refund for the remaining part of your support and upgrades contract.

If you move to Octopus Deploy before October 1st 2015, Redgate will provide technical assistance for deploying databases, and Octopus Deploy will provide software updates for the duration of your Deployment Manager support and upgrades contract. When this expires you will be able to renew your support and upgrades contract with Octopus Deploy.

I have less than 12 months support and upgrades left on my Deployment Manager contract. What happens to this?

If you choose to carry on using Deployment Manager, Redgate will provide technical assistance for deploying databases; however, there will be no further updates to Deployment Manager except for fixes to critical bugs. You will not be able to renew your Deployment Manager support and upgrades contract after it expires.

If you move to Octopus Deploy before your Deployment Manager support and upgrades contract expires, Redgate will provide technical assistance for deploying databases, and Octopus Deploy will provide software updates for 12 months from the date you switch. When this expires you will be able to renew your support and upgrades contract directly with Octopus Deploy.

Can I continue to use Deployment Manager? What happens if I don't want to move to Octopus Deploy?

You don't have to switch if you don't want to, and you can continue to use Deployment Manager for as long as you wish. Please remember that there will be no more updates to Deployment Manager except for fixes to critical bugs and technical assistance will not be available for Deployment Manager after October 1st 2015.

Can I take up the offer of switching to Octopus Deploy for free at anytime?

To obtain a free licence of Octopus Deploy and guaranteed support and upgrades for a minimum 12 months, you must switch before your existing Deployment Manager support and upgrades contract expires or October 1st 2015, whichever is soonest.

Does this affect any other Redgate deployment tools?

No – in fact, retiring Deployment Manager lets us focus on making these tools even better, and building new products for deploying database changes.